How did you afford your setup?

I ask this because bass gear (and music gear in general) seems to be really expensive. I was looking in a music shop and a head cost $1500 (Australian $$) and the cabinet (?> Speakers?) cost over $1000. For someone like me without any major income this is way out of my price range. What about you? Did you buy new or secondhand? Did you get a loan or were you fortunate enough to have enough cash to get the right gear?

I got my first bass (Squire Bronco) from my dad for my birthday, then I got my first and current amp by saving from my summer job. Then I saved up for my second bass (Yamaha RBX260F) from working part time all year. Now I'm saving up for my third bass (MIM Fender Jazz) by saving from my part time job, and selling my Squire and a guitar I have. I hate saving money.

As I've said elsewhwere, I've worked in the same business for 30+ years. That much experience in science and engineering is something for which people will pay a lot of money. I earn the money, and use it to support my habit.